Which walkaround (22-25 feet)?

[jpsuominen]

Hi.
I've been thinking about getting a new walkaround in the 22-25 foot range. The boat would mainly be used to haul me and the missus to and from our cabin (60 nm roundtrip) and fishing (spinning + trolling). Some occasional overnight trips should also be doable. Also, the boat must be trailerable, and weigh less than 7700 lbs fully loaded on a trailer.

Since I live in Finland, and the market around here is a bit limited, I might not be able to find all boats that you hopefully will suggest, but I might consider importing from the US on my own (I know people who have done this before, so it's not that big a problem).

I'll list some points that I would like to see in my next boat:
- Hardtop
- Head with pumpout (chemical or holding tank, doesn't matter)
- Galley (a single gas burner is fine) + table in cabin
- Raw-water washdown
- Seating for at least 5 persons on deck, at least 4 persons in cabin
- Recessed walkaround, preferrably with a seat in the bow.
- Windshield wipers, or at least a possibility to install aftermarket wipers.
- Livewell, the bigger the better.
- Insulated fishboxes with overboard drain/pumpout. The more, the merrier.
- Cruising speed 25+ knots. Again, the more, the merrier

Also, the boat should be driveable at cruising speeds in up to 3' chop without breaking anyones back.

So far I've been looking (that's looking, we have over 12" of ice over here) at these boats:

- Trophy 2302 (fits the bill quite nice, no bow seat)
- Trophy 2502 (very nice, no bow seat, getting expensive, to big to tow comfortably?)
- Caravelle SeaHawk 230 Outboard (very nice deck layout, cabin a bit on the small side?)
- Scout 242 Abaco (no recessed walkaround, limited seating in cabin?)
- Seaswirl 2301 O/B (seems nice, limited seating on deck?)

Any comments on my choices? Any feedback is appreciated. Also, if you have some suggestions on other brands that I should check out, I'm all ears and eyes...

Thanks, and a nice spring to you all!

[boatboy50]

Hey,

Welcome to the forum.

I was in a very similar situation to you.

Living in Australia, and needing a good boat, with nothing manufactured in my country which suited my needs.

My boating needs are basically the same as yours.

I ended up doing the same, researched and bought a boat sight unseen from the USA. I ended up buying a Seaswirl Striper 2301, which I loved for every moment.

I was offered a rediculous amount of money for that boat, so subsequently sold it less than 12 months after it landed.

I am now awaiting my second Seaswirl Striper 2301 to reach our shores, due late April. I love the boat, and can't fault it in any way.

Suits my long distance cruising (Rarely fish), and I have been able to upgrade from the first boat, now with twins and a hardtop.

The cockpit easily seats five with the rear lounge in place.

I also looked at all others you mention, and ended up with the Swirl after much thinking.

Good Luck!

Darren

[Fishing FINattic]

Welcome to the forum.
The Trophy 25'er is a great choice. I have one and love it. I never use the bow seat. As a matter of fact, the cusion have NEVER been on the boat for that seat. I think it may even be illegal to motor with someone of the bow of a walk around (Not sure)
Sleeping ammenities are drasticaly improved from 22 trophy to 25 trophy!
Good luck!
Tim

[mtcfish]

Polar makes a nice 23' Walkaround that fits your needs. The boat utilizes every space possible for storage.

[baypro21]

I've got a 23 Trophy w/a. 5 people on the deck no problem, but 4 in the cabin? I'd go with the 25'. If you're going to be loaded like that much of the time go with max power. I do like the ride of mine with the 20 deg. deadrise and tabs, cuts thru pretty good, being heavy helps also.

[Seacat FL]

Check the Pro-Line 24 Walk:

http://www.prolineboats.com/Boats/Walks/24Walk.html

I have had two Pro-Line Walkarounds and like(d) them a lot.

[tombro]

See the Grady-White Gulfstream 232.

[gf]

You might want to find a lightly used or leftover 2003-2005 Triton 2286 WA from an East Coast dealer and ship it to Europe.

You can find the specs here:

http://www.tritonboats.com/PDFFiles/...%20catalog.pdf

There are a fewnice walkarounds for sale on this board...

a 2003 Seaswirl: http://www.thehulltruth.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=86134&start=1

a 2004 Robalo: http://www.thehulltruth.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=84248

and a 2002 Robalo: http://www.thehulltruth.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=87959

[steveyacht]

The Wellcraft 232 and 252 Coastals have been pretty popular. No seat on bow though.

[jpsuominen]

Thank you for your replies. I will have to check those out. Btw, just came home from the Stockholm Boat Fair, where I got to check out the Trophy 2352. It seemed very nice as well, but I'll have to see...

[richinct]

For what you want to do with the boat I think you will probably be better off with something 24-25 range. My wife and I were looking for a new (to us) boat. We started looking at 23s, (there are loads of them out there, seems to be the most popular size in wa). We quickly changed to looking at 24-25 for more storage and overall space. You might want to think about twins if you are making 30 mile trips, depends on what kind of help is available in your area for breakdown assistance. You will probably be right at your 7700 lb limit.

[looneytunes]

Seaswirl is an excellent choice. Most of the options you want are standard. The only problem that I see is seating 4 adults in any 24 or 25 foot boats cabin .

Overnights for two adults the boat is adequate.

The seaswirl is rock solid in those nasty 3 footers. The Seaswirl was born to fish so fishing will be a pleasure.

Enjoy,

LooneyTunes
Dave

[wombatV]

Check out the Parker line. clean simple built tough.

[Emily Rose]

jpsuominen - 3/10/2006 1:50 AM

- Seating for at least 4 persons in cabin
- Recessed walkaround.

Having seating for 4 persons in the cabin in a 22-25ft WA would be very... cozy. Maybe in an express, but WA's have a lot less cabin space. I don't think I've ever had 4 people in the cabin of my 27' WA without one person standing. Actually, I guess you could count the stairs as a seat.

Check out the Grady White 232 Gulfstream. You wont care if the cabin isn't big enough.

Regards,
Dave

[jpsuominen]

The Grady White 232 seems like a nice boat, but unfortunately it is too wide to be trailered legally here. As for seating 4 in the cabin, I'm not expecting to do that a lot. It's enough that 4 persons can grab a quick sandwich or two without having to eat in the rain, and have a peek at the map and try decide where to fish next.

[chokie1942]

Why do all these boats employ 1/2 height windscreens and tee tops that direct the spray back in your face or force the use of plastic??How much more expencive can it be to carry the windshield to the top and give me some wippers??..Who make one like that??

[richinct]

chokie1942 - 3/13/2006 5:25 AM

Why do all these boats employ 1/2 height windscreens and tee tops that direct the spray back in your face or force the use of plastic??How much more expencive can it be to carry the windshield to the top and give me some wippers??..Who make one like that??

I know what you mean, I have never seen a full wind shield. I don't think it is a cost thing, I guess they figure if you want the full wind shield you go to a pilot house.

[mattinri]

SeaSwirl has their "Alaska package" which gives you a full windshield in a walkaround design. You could also go to a full pilot house like the Parkers, etc.

[martignetti]

I am partial to the Parker's. Solid boat with huge cockpit and beautiful lines !

http://www.parkerboats.net/pages/boa....jsp?boatid=12

[Major Woods]

chokie1942 - 3/13/2006 4:25 AM

Why do all these boats employ 1/2 height windscreens and tee tops that direct the spray back in your face or force the use of plastic??How much more expencive can it be to carry the windshield to the top and give me some wippers??..Who make one like that??

That's the reason why I got the Alaskan package on the Seaswirl.